Catalyst components, process for their preparation and their use as catalyst components in polymerization of olefins

ABSTRACT

A process for the preparation of a pyridinyl-linked bis-amino ligand that comprises, (a) reacting 2,6-dibromophenyl amine with an arylboronic acid component which is substituted or unsubstituted to produce a 2,6-diarylphenyl amine which is substituted or unsubstituted; (b) reacting the 2,6-diarylphenyl amine with a 2,6-dialkanoic pyridine characterized by the formula: 
                         
wherein R′ and R″ are each independently a C 1 –C 20  hydrocarbyl group; to produce a mono-imine ligand characterized by the formula:
 
                         
wherein TRP is a terphenyl group which is substituted or unsubstituted; and (c) reacting the mono-imine ligand with an aniline which may be substituted or unsubstituted to produce a bis-amine ligand characterized by the structure:
 
                         
wherein: TRP is a substituted or unsubstituted terphenyl group; and AR is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to olefin polymerization catalysts and their preparation and use in the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Olefin polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, which may be atactic or stereospecific, such as isotactic or syndiotactic, and ethylene-higher alpha olefin copolymers, such as ethylene-propylene copolymers can be produced under various polymerization conditions and employing various polymerization catalysts. Such polymerization catalysts include Ziegler-Natta catalysts and non-Ziegler-Natta catalysts, such as metallocenes and other transition metal catalysts which are typically employed in conjunction with one or more co-catalysts. The polymerization catalysts may be supported or unsupported.

The alpha olefin homopolymers or copolymers may be produced under various conditions in polymerization reactors which may be batch type reactors or continuous reactors. Continuous polymerization reactors typically take the form of loop-type reactors in which the monomer stream is continuously introduced and a polymer product is continuously withdrawn. For example, polymers such as polypropylene, polyethylene or ethylene-propylene copolymers involve the introduction of the monomer stream into the continuous loop-type reactor along with an appropriate catalyst system to produce the desired olefin homopolymer or copolymer. The resulting polymer is withdrawn from the loop-type reactor in the form of a “fluff” which is then processed to produce the polymer as a raw material in particulate form as pellets or granules. In the case of C₃₊ alpha olefins, such a propylene or substituted ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as styrene or vinyl chloride, the resulting polymer product may be characterized in terms of stereoregularity, such as in the case of, for example, isotactic polypropylene or syndiotactic polypropylene. Other unsaturated hydrocarbons which can be polymerized or copolymerized with relatively short chain alphaolefins, such as ethylene and propylene include dienes, such as 1,3-butadiene or 1,4-hexadiene or acetylenically unsaturated compounds, such as methylacetylene.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided catalyst compositions and processes for the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers to produce polymers, including copolymers or homopolymers. Monomers, which are polymerized or copolymerized in accordance with the present invention, include ethylene, C₃₊ alphaolefins and substituted vinyl compounds, such as styrene and vinyl chloride. A further application of the present invention is in the polymerization of C₄₊ conjugated dienes including specifically, butadiene. A particularly preferred application of the invention is in the polymerization of ethylene including the homopolymerization of ethylene to produce polyethylene, and the copolymerization of ethylene and a C₃₊ alphaolefin to produce an ethylene alphaolefin copolymer, specifically an ethylene-propylene copolymer.

In carrying out the present invention, there is provided an olefin polymerization catalyst composition comprising a C_(s) symmetric catalyst component characterized by the formula:

In formula (I), M is a Group 4–11 transition metal, n is an integer within the range of 1–3, Q is a halogen or a C₁–C₂ alkyl group, and PY is a pyridinyl group which is coordinated with M through the nitrogen atom of the pyridinyl group. Further, with respect to formula (I), R′ and R″ are each independently a C₁–C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group, A₁ is a mononuclear aromatic group, which may be substituted or unsubstituted, and A₂ is a polynuclear aromatic group, which may be substituted or unsubstituted.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, R′ and R″ are each independently a C₁–C₄ alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted mononuclear aryl group. Preferably, M is a transition metal selected from Groups 8–10 of the Periodic Table and more specifically, iron or cobalt, with n being 2. A₁ may take the form of an unsubstituted phenyl group or a substituted phenyl group which is mono-substituted, di-substituted or tri-substituted. In one embodiment of the invention, A₁ is a phenyl group which is mono-substituted at the directly distal position with respect to the coordinating nitrogen atom. In a further application of the invention, A₁ is a di-substituted phenyl group substituted at the proximal positions with a C₁–C₄ alkyl group, each alkyl group being the same, or a tri-substituted phenyl group substituted with the same C₁–C₄ alkyl groups at the proximal positions and substituted with a C₁–C₄ alkyl group at the directly distal position, which may the same or different from the alkyl substituents at the proximal positions. Preferably, the ligand component A₂ is a substituted or unsubstituted terphenyl group. In one embodiment, the primary benzyl group of the terphenyl group is substituted with the substituent phenyl groups thereof at the proximal positions with respect to the coordinating nitrogen ion. In a further embodiment of the invention, both of the substituent phenyl groups of the terphenyl group are substituted at the para-positions with C₁–C₄ alkyl groups.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, M is a transition metal selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, nickel and copper. Preferably, M is iron or cobalt and more specifically, iron. In this case, the C_(s) symmetric catalyst component is characterized by the formula:

In formula (II), M is iron, cobalt, nickel or copper and A₁ and A₂ are aromatic groups with A₁ being a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic group and A₂ being a substituted aromatic group which is sterically different from A₁. PY is a pyridinyl group and Q is a halogen or a C₁–C₂ alkyl group as described previously.

A specific embodiment of the present invention in which the coordinating transition metal is iron, is a catalyst component having C_(s) symmetry, which is characterized by the following formula:

In formula (III), Q is a hydrogen or a C₁–C₂ alkyl group and the substituents R₁ and R₂ on the phenyl group are, respectively, hydrogen or a C₁–C₄ alkyl group and a C₁–C₄ alkyl group. With regard to the substituents on the terphenyl group of formula (III), R₃ is a hydrogen or a C₁–C₄ alkyl group, and R₅ is hydrogen or a C₁–C₄ alkyl group which can be the same as or different from R₃. The distal constituents, R₄, are each hydrogen or a C₁–C₄ alkyl group with R₄ and are the same substituents. Specific catalyst components are characterized by the catalyst component of formula (III) in which R₂ is an isopropylene group and each R₄ is hydrogen.

In yet a more specific embodiment of the invention, the C_(s) symmetric catalyst component is characterized by the formula:

In formula (IV), Q is a halogen or a C₁–C₂ alkyl group, R₁ is a hydrogen or methyl group, and R₂ is a methyl or ethyl group. The distal substituents, R₄ on the terphenyl group, are the same and are each a C₂–C₄ alkyl group having a higher molecular weight than R₂. More specifically, the substituents R₂ are each a methyl group and the substituents R₄ are each isopropyl or tertiary butyl groups. Preferably, the substituents R₄ are tertiary butyl groups, R₁ is a methyl group and Q is chlorine.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, there are provided processes for the polymerization of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers to produce a corresponding homopolymer or copolymer. In carrying out the polymerization process of the present invention, there is provided a transition metal catalyst component having C_(s) symmetry as characterized by formula (I) above and, more specifically, by the following structural formula:

In formula (V), M is a transition metal selected from Group 8–10 of the Periodic Table and Q, R₁, R₂, R₄ and R₅ are as described above with respect to formula (III).

In addition to the transition metal catalyst component, there is provided an activating co-catalyst component such as an alumoxane. The catalyst component and the co-catalyst component are contacted in a polymerization reaction zone with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer under polymerization conditions to produce a polymer product which is then recovered from the reaction zone. Preferably, the activating co-catalyst comprises methylalumoxane (MAO) or tri-isobutylalumoxane (TIBAO) or mixtures thereof. Alternatively, the activating co-catalyst can take the form of a noncoordinating anionic type, such as triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)aluminate or triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)boronate.

In yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for the preparation of a pyridinyl-linked bis-amino ligand suitable for use in forming the catalyst component of the present invention. In carrying out this aspect of the invention, 2,6-dibromophenyl amine is reacted with an arylboronic acid which is substituted or unsubstituted to produce a corresponding 2,6-diarylphenyl amine which is substituted or unsubstituted. The 2,6-diarylphenyl amine is reacted with dialkanoic pyridine characterized by the formula:

In formula (VI), R′ and R″ are each independently a C₁–C₂₀ alkyl group.

The reaction product is a mono-imine ligand characterized by the formula:

In formula (VII), TRP is a terphenyl group, which is substituted or unsubstituted.

The mono-imine ligand is reacted with a substituted or unsubstituted aniline to produce a bis-imine ligand characterized by the formula:

wherein TRP is as described above and AR is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is a perspective view of a C_(s) symmetric catalyst component produced in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The present invention involves pyridinyl-bridged transition metal catalysts having C_(s) symmetry and their preparation and use in the polymerization of olefins. Specific olefins which may be polymerized, either through homopolymerization or copolymerization include ethylene, propylene, butylene and conjugated dienes such as 1,3-butadiene, as well as monoaromatic or substituted vinyl compounds as described previously. The C_(s) symmetric catalyst components of the present invention incorporate transition metals from Groups 4–11 of the Periodic Table of Elements (new notation) and more particularly, transition metals from Groups 8–11 of the Periodic Table of Elements. Preferred transition metals for use in the catalyst components of the present invention are iron, cobalt, nickel and copper with iron and cobalt being particularly preferred.

The catalyst components of the present invention incorporate pyridinyl-linked bis-amino ligand structures which are unbalanced and incorporate a mononuclear aromatic group linked to one nitrogen atom and a polynuclear aromatic group linked to the other nitrogen atom. The mononuclear and polynuclear aromatic groups may be substituted or unsubstituted, but if substituted, each aromatic group is symmetrical with respect to each group's respective coordinating nitrogen atom. Thus, the catalyst component incorporates a ligand structure having C_(s) symmetry. The plane of symmetry extends through the transition metal and to nitrogen atoms of the bis-amino ligand as shown by the following diagram of a bridged phenyl-terphenyl structure as indicated below:

In diagram (IX), the plane of symmetry is indicated by the broken line and is perpendicular to the plane of the paper in which the phenyl and terphenyl groups are schematically shown. With respect to the phenyl group, C_(s) symmetry is observed if the phenyl group is unsubstituted, mono-substituted at the 4 (directly distal position), di-substituted at the 2,6 positions with the same substituents, or at the 3,5 positions with the same substituents. With respect to the terphenyl group, C_(s) symmetry is maintained if the terphenyl group is unsubstituted, di-substituted at the distal positions 4 and 4′ of the substituent phenyl groups, or substituted on the substituent phenyl groups at the 2 and 2′ positions with the same substituent groups, and at the 6 and 6′ positions with the same substituent groups, which may be the same or different than the substituents at the 2 and 2′ positions. Diagram (IX), which schematically shows a phenyl-terphenyl ligand structure in which the substituent phenyl groups are substituted on the primary benzyl group of the terphenyl group at the proximal positions with respect to the nitrogen linkage, is illustrative of embodiments of the invention such as shown by formulas (III), (IV) and (V) above.

In employing the catalyst components of the present invention in polymerization procedures, they are used in conjunction with an activating co-catalyst. Suitable activating co-catalysts may take the form of co-catalysts such are commonly employed in metallocene-catalyzed polymerization reactions. Thus, the activating co-catalyst may take the form of an aluminum co-catalyst. Alumoxane co-catalysts are also referred to as aluminoxane or polyhydrocarbyl aluminum oxides. Such compounds include oligomeric or polymeric compounds having repeating units of the formula:

where R is an alkyl group generally having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. Alumoxanes are well known in the art and are generally prepared by reacting an organo-aluminum compound with water, although other synthetic routes are known to those skilled in the art. Alumoxanes may be either linear polymers or they may be cyclic, as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,344. Thus, alumoxane is an oligomeric or polymeric aluminum oxy compound containing chains of alternating aluminum and oxygen atoms whereby the aluminum carries a substituent, preferably an alkyl group. The structure of linear and cyclic alumoxanes is generally believed to be represented by the general formula —(Al(R)—O—)-m for a cyclic alumoxane, and R₂Al—O—(Al(R)—O)m-AlR₂ for a linear compound wherein R independently each occurrence is a C₁–C₁₀ hydrocarbyl, preferably alkyl or halide and m is an integer ranging from 1 to about 50, preferably at least about 4. Alumoxanes also exist in the configuration of cage or cluster compounds. Alumoxanes are typically the reaction products of water and an aluminum alkyl, which in addition to an alkyl group may contain halide or alkoxide groups. Reacting several different aluminum alkyl compounds, such as, for example, trimethylaluminum and tri-isobutylaluminum, with water yields so-called modified or mixed alumoxanes. Preferred alumoxanes are methylalumoxane and methylalumoxane modified with minor amounts of other higher alkyl groups such as isobutyl. Alumoxanes generally contain minor to substantial amounts of the starting aluminum alkyl compounds. The preferred co-catalyst, prepared either from trimethylaluminum or tri-isobutylaluminum, is sometimes referred to as poly (methylaluminum oxide) and poly (isobutylaluminum oxide), respectively.

The alkyl alumoxane co-catalyst and transition metal catalyst component are employed in any suitable amounts to provide an olefin polymerization catalyst. Suitable aluminum transition metal mole ratios are within the range of 10:1 to 20,000:1 and preferably within the range of 100:1 to 5,000:1. Normally, the transition metal catalyst component and the alumoxane, or other activating co-catalyst as described below, are mixed prior to introduction in the polymerization reactor in a mode of operation such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,735 to Ewen et al. The polymerization process may be carried out in either a batch-type, continuous or semi-continuous procedure, but preferably polymerization of the olefin monomer (or monomers) will be carried out in a loop type reactor of the type disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,735. Typical loop type reactors include single loop reactors or so-called double loop reactors in which the polymerization procedure is carried in two sequentially connected loop reactors. As described in the Ewen et al. patent, when the catalyst components are formulated together, they may be supplied to a linear tubular pre-polymerization reactor where they are contacted for a relatively short time with the pre-polymerization monomer (or monomers) prior to being introduced into the main loop type reactors. Suitable contact times for mixtures of the various catalyst components prior to introduction into the main reactor may be within the range of a few seconds to 2 days. For a further description of suitable continuous polymerization processes which may be employed in carrying out the present invention, reference is made to the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,735, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Other suitable activating co-catalysts which can be used in carrying out the invention include those catalysts which function to form a catalyst cation with an anion comprising one or more boron atoms. By way of example, the activating co-catalyst may take the form of triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) boronate as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,080 to Elder et al. As described there, the activating co-catalyst produces an anion which functions as a stabilizing anion in a transition metal catalyst system. Suitable noncoordinating anions include [W(PhF₅)]⁻, [Mo(PhF₅)]⁻ (wherein PhF₅ is pentafluorophenyl), [ClO₄]⁻, [S₂O₆]⁻, [PF₆]⁻, [SbR₆]⁻, [AlR₄]⁻ (wherein each R is independently Cl, a C₁–C₅ alkyl group preferably a methyl group, an aryl group, e.g. a phenyl or substituted phenyl group, or a fluorinated aryl group). Following the procedure described in the Elder et al. patent, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl) boronate may be reacted with pyridinyl-linked bis-amino ligand of the present invention in a solvent, such as toluene, to produce a coordinating cationic-anionic complex. For a further description of such activating co-catalyst, reference is made to the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,155,080, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In addition to the use of an activating co-catalyst, the polymerization reaction may be carried out in the presence of a scavenging agent or polymerization co-catalyst which is added to the polymerization reactor along with the catalyst component and activating co-catalyst. These scavengers can be generally characterized as organometallic compounds of metals of Groups IA, IIA, and IIIB of the Periodic Table of Elements. As a practical matter, organoaluminum compounds are normally used as co-catalysts in polymerization reactions. Specific examples include triethylaluminum, tri-isobutylaluminum, diethylaluminum chloride, diethylaluminum hydride and the like. Scavenging co-catalysts normally employed in the invention include methylalumoxane (MAO), triethylaluminum (TEAL) and tri-isobutylaluminum (TIBAL).

The process for the preparation of the pyridinyl ligand can be exemplified by the preparation of the following ligand:

The procedure of preparing the above ligand comprises the following reactions:

(a) preparation of 2,6-diarylphenyl amine by the reaction of 2,6-dibromophenylamine and arylboronic acid as follows:

(b) reacting the 2,6-diarylphenyl amine with 2,6-diacethyl pyridine with the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid in toluene to form a mono-imine ligand as indicated below:

reacting the mono-imine ligand with an aniline or substituted aniline with the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid in toluene to form an C_(s)-symmetric bis-imine ligand as follows:

The ligands produced by reactions (XII–XIV), according to the present invention, are prepared by means of a very simple and efficient process, which employs inexpensive starting materials and comprises single reaction steps having high yields. Furthermore, this process does not require laborious and time-consuming purification procedures, and thus is particularly suitable to large-scale production.

The initial procedure (a) comprises reacting dibromoaniline with at least 2 equivalents and preferably 2–3 equivalents of the arylboronic acid. This reaction is carried out in the presence of a palladium catalyst, preferably Pd(PPh₃)₄, and with at least 0.5 mol %, and preferably 0.5–5.0 mol % of palladium catalyst, and in the presence of at least 3 equivalents of Na₂CO₃ or K₂CO₃, preferably 3–7 equivalents of Na₂CO₃ or K₂CO₃. According to a preferred embodiment of the process of the invention, reaction (a) is carried out in the presence of toluene, alcohol and water, preferably in ratio 10:(1–2):(1–0.1). The initial reaction is preferably carried out at a temperature ranging from 20° to 150° C. for a time of 1–24 hours, and more preferably for 2–3 hours. The resulting amine product can be isolated by crystallization or by column chromatography.

Reaction (b) comprises reacting 2,6-diacetylpyridine (4) with at least 1 equivalent and preferably 1.0–1.2 equivalents of the diarylaniline (3) product of reaction (b), to obtain the intermediate compound of formula (6). Reaction (b) is carried out in the presence of an acid as a catalyst, preferably p-toluenesulfonic acid, in an organic solvent such as alcohol, aliphatic or aromatic solvents, preferably in benzene or toluene. Reaction (b) is preferably carried out at a temperature ranging from 20° to 150° C., preferably 80° to 120° C. for a time of 1–72 hours, and more preferably for 5–12 hours. The obtained intermediate compound of formula (6) can be isolated by crystallization or used without isolation for reaction (c).

Reaction (c) comprises reacting the intermediate compound of formula (6) with at least 1 equivalent and preferably 1.0–1.2 equivalents of the diarylaniline of formula (7) prepared in reaction (b) to obtain the intermediate compound of formula (8). This reaction is carried out in the presence of an acid as a catalyst, preferably p-toluenesulfonic acid, in an organic solvent such as alcohol, aliphatic or aromatic solvents, preferably in benzene or toluene. Reaction (c) is preferably carried out at a temperature ranging from 20° to 150° C., preferably 80° to 120° C. for a time of 1–72 hours, and more preferably for 5–12 hours. The resulting compound of formula (8) can be isolated by crystallization.

Another synthesis sequence which can be used to make the desired ligand of formula (8) involves reaction (a) as described above and alternative reactions (b′) and (c′) as described below. Reaction (b′) comprises reacting 2,6-diacetylpyridine (4) with at least 1 equivalent and preferably 1.0–1.2 equivalents of diarylaniline (7) to obtain the intermediate compound of formula (9):

Alternative reaction step (c′) comprises reacting the intermediate compound of formula (9) with at least 1 equivalent and preferably 1.0–1.2 equivalents of the diarylaniline of formula (3) prepared in reaction (a):

While this alternative sequence is effective, the original sequence described above will usually be preferred. In this regard, the reaction of compound of formula (9) with compound of formula (3) resulted in the desired product (8) along with several side products due to a reversible condensation process of the imine formation. Therefore in sequences of the ligand synthesis the attachment of the bulkier aniline is preferably the first reaction.

The ligand of formula (8) according to the present invention can be readily transformed into corresponding catalyst component by reaction with MCl_(n), e.g. where M is Fe or Co and n is 2, by using standard procedures disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,414,098 to Engohausen et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, and also in B. L. Small, Organometallics, vol. 22, p. 3178 (2003):

As noted previously, the C_(s) symmetric compounds of the present invention can be used as catalytic components for the polymerization of olefins. The catalysts used for the polymerization of olefins include the product obtainable by contacting the follow components:

(1) one or more C_(s) symmetric compounds as described above or mixture of such C_(s) symmetric compounds with a nonmetallocene or metallocene catalysts, and

(2) a suitable activating cocatalyst.

As noted previously, activating co-catalysts suitable as component (2) in catalysts of the invention are linear, branched or cyclic alumoxane, containing at least one group of the type:

wherein the substituents R_(a) and R_(b) are the same or different from each other and are C₁–C₂₀ alkyl, C₅–C₂₀ cycloalkyl, C₆–C₂₀ aryl, or groups —O—Al(R). Examples of alumoxanes suitable as activating co-catalysts according to present invention are methylalumoxane (MAO), tetra-isobutylalumoxane (TIBAO) and mixtures of different alumoxanes (MMAO). Activating co-catalysts suitable for use in the invention can be produced from trialkylaluminum compounds by reaction with water as described above. Further activating co-catalysts suitable for use in the invention include compounds capable of forming an alkyl catalyst cation of formula X⁺Y⁻ as disclosed above. The Y⁻ anion preferably comprises one or more boron atoms. More preferably, the Y⁻ anion is an anion of formula BAr⁻, where Ar substituents, which are the same or different, are aryl groups as phenyl or pentafluorophenyl.

The polymerization process of the present invention involves the polymerization of one or more olefinic monomers in the presence of a catalyst as described above. Representative examples of olefinic monomers which may be used in the polymerization process are ethylene, α-olefins such as propylene and 1-butene, and conjugated di-olefins. The catalysts of the invention can be advantageously used in ethylene homopolymerization. Unexpectedly high yields at 80° C. are achieved of ethylene polymers having advantageous properties for different polymer applications, for example, for medium density films.

The high stability of the catalysts under polymerization process at 80° C. and a high Mw of polyethylenes produced may be explained in terms of specific structural features of the catalysts of the invention. The structure of a C_(s) symmetric compound as determined by X-ray analysis of a single crystal is indicated by the perspective structural formula of FIG. 1. Table 1 summarizes the data of the selected angles in degrees and bond lengths in Angstroms for this C_(s) symmetric catalyst component and for a corresponding C_(2v) symmetric catalyst. As indicated by the x-ray data, the C_(s) symmetric catalyst component contains bulkier aromatic groups at the 2,6-position of phenyl rings of imino-group, which change the geometry of the catalysts component to give more stable catalytic species during the polymerization process, and therefore the catalyst system produces polyethylene polymers more efficiently at higher temperatures.

TABLE 1

C_(2v) complex C_(s) complex bis-[(2,6- 2-[1-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino(ethyl]- diisopropylphenyliminoethyl] 6-[1-(2,6-diphenyl phenylimino)ethyl] pyridine iron dichloride* pyridine iron dichloride Fe-N(imine) 2.222, 2.225 2.232; 2.287 Fe-N(pyridine) 2.091 2.074 N(imine)-C(L) 1.437; 1.461 1.449; 1.451 N = C 1.295; 1.301 1.288; 1.294 N(imine)-Fe- 140.2 143.7 N(imine) Fe-N(imine)-C(L) 125.6; 124.9 120.3; 126.4 C-N(imine)-C(L) 118.3; 119.3 120.3; 120.6 Cl-Fe-Cl 117.6 122.6 *B.L. Small and M. Brookhart J. Am. Chem Soc., v. 120 (1998) 4049. (Comparative)

The catalysts of the present invention can be advantageously used in copolymerization of ethylene with propylene or hexene-1. They show moderate activities in homopolymerization of propylene to yield polypropylene of moderate tacticity.

In the following examples, all synthetic procedure of catalysts preparation were carried out under argon atmosphere. All operations with catalysts samples and aluminum alkyls were carried out in a glove box under nitrogen.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of C_(s) Symmetric Iron Complex

(1) Preparation of Terphenylamine

2,6-Dibromoaniline (6.02 g, 24 mmol) and Pd(PPh₃)₄ (3.88 g, 3.00 mmol) were dissolved in toluene (240 ml). Phenyl boronic acid (8.80 g, 72 mmol) in EtOH (50 ml) was added. Na₂CO₃ (13 g, 144 mmol) in H₂O (70 ml) was added. The reaction mixture was reflux for 24 hrs. The organic layer was thin separated and the amine precipitated as hydrochloride salt by addition of 20 ml of HCl. The precipitate was isolated. The salt was suspended in ether, and 2 M Na₂CO₃ was added. The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄ and the solvent was evaporated. The yield was 90%. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 7.44 (t, 4H, H_(arom)), 7.39 (t, 4H, H_(arom)), 7.29 (d, 2H, H_(arom)), 7.07 (d, 2H, H_(arom)), 6.82 (t, 1H, H_(arom)), 3.77 (s, 2H, NH₂).

(2) Preparation of Ligand Precursor: 2-acetyl-6-[1-(2,6-diphenyl phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine (monoimine Ph₂)

Diacethylpyridine (1.10 g, 6.7 mmol), terphenylamine (1.60 g, 6.7 mmol) and a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate in benzene (50 ml) were heated under reflux for 3 hrs. The product was crystallized from solution and washed with pentane to provide a yield of 1.6 g. According to GC and NMR analysis, the solid contained 85% monoimine and 15% bis-imine. After double crystallization from CH₂Cl₂/pentane (1:3), monoimine and bis-imine were separated. Monoimine (Ph₂): ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.13 (d, 1H, H_(pyr)), 7.97 (d, 1H, H_(pyr)) 7.78 (t, 1H, H_(pyr)), 7.5–7.1 (m, 13H, H_(arom)), 2.59 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.88 (s, 3H, CH₃). ¹³C NMR (CDCl₃): δ 166.2, 155.0, 152.1, 146.4, 140.1, 136.9, 131.8, 129.6, 129.2, 127.8, 126.6, 124.3, 124.2, 122.1, 25.2, 17.6.

(3) Preparation of Ligand: 2-[1-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino(ethyl]-6-[1-(2,6-diphenyl phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine (bis-imine i-Pr₂, Ph₂)

The monoimine (Ph₂) (0.70 g, 1.79 mmol), 2,6-di-isopropylaniline (0.70 g) and a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate in benzene (30 ml) were heated under reflux for two days. The solvent was removed under the vacuum. Double crystallization CH₂Cl₂/pentane (1:3) gave bis-imine (i-Pr₂,Ph₂) (0.38 g). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.31 (d, 1H, H_(pyr)), 8.07 (d, 1H, H_(pyr)), 7.77 (t, 1H, H_(pyr)), 7.5–7.0 (16H, H_(arom)), 2.70 (sept, 2H, CH(CH₃)₂), 2.07 (s, 3H, CH₃—C═N), 1.89 (s, 3H, CH₃—C═N), 1.13 (t, 12H, CH(CH₃)₂).

(4) Preparation of Iron Complex: 2-[1-(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino(ethyl]-6-[1-(2,6-diphenyl phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine iron dichloride

The bis-imine (i-Pr₂, Ph₂) (0.38 g, 0.69 mmol) and iron dichloride (II) (90.0 mg) in THF (10 ml) were stirred for night at 30° C. The solvent was removed under the vacuum. The compound was crystallized from methylene chloride/pentane. Yield: 0.40 g.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of C_(s) Symmetric Iron Complex

(1) Preparation of Ligand: 2-[1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenylimino(ethyl]-6-[1-(2,6-diphenyl phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine (bis-imine Me3, Ph2)

The same procedure as in Example 1(3) was repeated except that reaction was conducted by using the monoimine (Ph₂) (1.39 g, 3.56 mmol) and 2,4,6-dimethylaniline (1.5 g, 11.1 mmol). ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂): δ 8.33 (d, 1H, H_(pyr)), 8.10 (d, 1H, H_(pyr)), 7.81 (t, 1H, H_(pyr)), 7.6–6.9 (15H, H_(arom)), 2.19 (s, 3H, CH₃ from Ph), 2.14 (s, 6H, CH₃ from Ph), 2.06 (s, 3H, CH₃—C═N), 1.92 (s, 3H, CH₃—C═N).

(2) Preparation of Iron Complex: 2-[1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenylimino (ethyl]-6-[1-(2,6-diphenyl phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine iron dichloride

The same procedure as in Example 1(4) was repeated except that reaction was conducted by using bis-imine (Me₃,Ph₂) instead of bis-imine (i-Pr2, Ph₂). As a result, 0.39 grams of 2-[1-(2,4,6-trimethylphenylimino (ethyl]-6-[1-(2,6-diphenyl phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine iron dichloride were obtained.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of C_(s) Symmetric Iron Complex

(1) Preparation of Ligand: 2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino(ethyl]-6-[1-(2,6-diphenyl phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine (bis-imine Me₂, Ph₂)

Monoimine (Ph₂) (1.70 g, 4.36 mmol), 2,6-dimethylaniline (2.3 g) and a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid monohydrate in benzene (30 ml) were heated under reflux overnight. The solvent was removed under the vacuum. Double crystallization CH₂Cl₂/pentane (1:3) gave bisimine (Me₂,Ph₂). (0.33 g). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃): δ 8.34 (d, 1H, H_(pyr)), 8.08 (d, 1H, H_(pyr)), 7.77 (t, 1H, H_(pyr)), 7.5–6.9 (16H, H_(arom)), 2.06 (s, 3H, CH₃—C═N), 2.00 (s, 6H, CH₃), 1.89 (s, 3H, CH₃—C═N).

(2) Preparation of Iron Complex: 2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino (ethyl]-6-[1-(2,6-diphenyl phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine iron dichloride

The same procedure as in Example 1(4) was repeated except that reaction was conducted by using the bis-imine (Me₂,Ph₂) (0.33 g) and FeCl₂ (84.5 mg) instead of bis-imine (i-Pr₂, Ph₂). As a result, 0.35 grams of 2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino (ethyl]-6-[1-(2,6-diphenyl phenylimino)ethyl]pyridine iron dichloride were obtained.

EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of C_(s) Symmetric Iron Complex

(1) Preparation of 2,6-Bis(4-t-butylphenyl)aniline

The same procedure as in Example 1(1) was used except that reaction was conducted by using 2,6-dibromoaniline (9.00 g, 35.6 mmol), Pd(PPh₃)₄ (5.0 g), and 4-t-butylphenyl boronic acid (19.0 g, 107 mmol). Yield 3.0 g. ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂): δ 7.50 (d, 4H, H_(arom)), 7.43 (d, 4H, H_(arom)), 7.08 (d, 2H, H_(arom)), 6.83 (t, 1H, H_(arom)), 3.93 (s, 2H, NH₂), 1.38 (s, 18H, t-Bu).

(2) Preparation of Ligand Precursor: 2-acetyl-6-[1-(2,6-bis(4-t-butylphenyl)imino)ethyl]pyridine (monoimine (t-BuPh₂)

The same procedure as in Example 1(2) was used except that reaction was conducted by using diacethylpyridine (0.64 g, 3.93 mmol) and 2,6-di(t-butylphenyl)aniline (1.41 g, 3.95 mmol). The yield was 0.95 g of the monoimine (t-BuPh₂): ¹H NMR (CD₂Cl₂): δ 8.20 (d, 1H, H_(pyr)), 8.00 (d, 1H, H_(pyr)), 7.85 (t, 1H, H_(pyr)), 7.5–7.2 (m, 11H, H_(arom)), 2.61 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.94 (s, 3H, CH₃), 1.30 (s, 18H, t-Bu).

(3) Preparation of Ligand: 2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino(ethyl]-6-[1-(2,6-bis(4-t-butylphenyl)imino)ethyl]pyridine (bis-imine Me2, t-BuPh2)

The same procedure as in Example 3(2) was used except that reaction was conducted by using monoimine (t-BuPh₂) (1.30 g), 2,6-dimethylaniline (1.40 g). The yield was 0.55 g.

(4) Preparation of Iron Complex: 2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino(ethyl]-6-[1-(2,6-bis(4-t-butylphenyl)imino)ethyl]pyridine iron dichloride

The same procedure as in Example 1(4) was repeated except that reaction was conducted by using the bis-imine (Me₂,t-BuPh₂) (0.45 g) and FeCl₂ (94.5 mg). The yield was 0.40 g.

EXAMPLES 5–13 Ethylene Polymerization/Copolymerization in a Bench Reactor at 80° C.

Table 2 sets forth the ethylene polymerization/copolymerization conditions the yields and activities for the catalysts as indicated in the table. The bench reactor meters for all tests were as follows: i-butane (1,200 g), 8% of ethylene, temperature 80° C., MAO to provide Fe/Al ratio of 1:1000.

TABLE 2 Activity, g Ex. Catalyst Amount, mg Time, min H2 Hexene-1 Yield, g PE/gCat/h 5 Me2, t-BuPh2 1.0 60 0 0 322 322,000 (from ex. 4) 6 Me2, t-BuPh2 0.5 26 0 0 259 1,195,385 (from ex. 4) 7 Me2, t-BuPh2 0.5 30 0.5 L 0 160 640,000 (from ex. 4) 8 Me2, t-BuPh2 0.5 30 0 40 ml 80 320,000 (from ex. 4) 9 (Me3)(Ph2) 0.5 30 0 0 39 156,000 (from ex. 2) 10 (Me3)(Ph2) 0.5 30 0.5 L 0 46 184,000 (from ex. 2) 11 (Me3)(Ph2) 0.5 30 0.5 L 40 ml 54 216,000 (from ex. 2) 12 (Me3)(Ph2) 0.5 30 0 40 ml 18 72,000 (from ex. 2) 13 (i-Pr2)(i-Pr2) 2.0 60 0 0 202 62,825 Comparative

Table 3 sets forth properties of polymers produced in Examples 6–12.

TABLE 3 Catalyst (Me3)(Ph2) (Me3)(Ph2) (Me3)(Ph2) (Me2)(tBuPh) (Me2)(tBuPh), H2 (Me2)(tBuPh), C6 (Me3)(Ph2) H2 C6 H2 + C6 Example 6 7 8 9 10 12 11 Density 0.9631 0.9626 0.9653 Second Melt 135.37 135.37 133.70 Peak C MI2 (g/10 MIN) 0.17 0.23 1.18 MI5 (g/10 MIN) 0.64 1.09 4.59 HLMI 11.4 28.4 83.9 (g/10 MIN) SR5 17.8 26.1 18.3 (HLMI/MI5) SR2 67.1 123.5 71.1 (HLMI/MI2) Flow Activation 27.8 31.0 29.7 Energy KJOLPERMOL Zero Shear 3.55E+05 4.49E+05 4.54E+04 Viscosity (PASCAL/SEC) Relaxation Time 0.235 0.428 0.027 (Sec) Breadth 0.203 0.187 0.194 Parameter % Wax 0.3 0.3 0.2 Mw 273,711 231,124 132,174 243,771 230,666 119,599 200,713 D 14.68 15.13 8.24 16.3 16.1 18.4 19.6 D′ 9.02 10.24 9.48 9.3 11.1 10.5 14.3

EXAMPLES 14–16 Ethylene Polymerization/Copolymerization in the Bench Reactor at 50° C.

Table 4 sets forth ethylene polymerization/copolymerization conditions for the catalyst produced in Example 3. The bench reactor conditions were as follows: i-butane, 7% of ethylene, temperature 50° C., MAO to provide Fe/Al ratio of 1:1000.

TABLE 4 Activity, g Ex. Catalyst Amount, mg Time, min H2//C2 Hexene-1, ml Yield, g PE/gCat/h 14 Me₂, Ph₂ (from 2.0 60 0 0 29 8,900 ex. 3) 15 Me₂, Ph₂ (from 2.0 60 0.006 0 35 10,850 ex. 3) 16 Me₂, Ph₂ (from 2.0 60 0 30 14 4,340 ex. 3)

EXAMPLE 17 Propylene Polymerization

The polymerization of propylene was carried out with 3 mg of the Me₂Ph₂ catalyst from Example 3, MAO (0.2 ml, 30% in toluene) in 50 ml of toluene at −10° C. for 3 hours under 1 atm of propylene. 0.20 g of polypropylene was isolated. The polypropylene was moderately isotactic as indicated by the following pentad distribution from ¹³C NMR analysis: (%) mmmm 55.3, mmmr 16.3, mmrr 4.9, xmrx 17.1, mrrm 1.5; % mesodiads 85.1, % racemic diads 14.9%.

The polymer products produced by the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers in accordance with the present invention, including ethylene homopolymers, C₃₊ alpha olefin homopolymers and ethylene-C₃₊ alpha olefin copolymers, such as ethylene propylene copolymers, can be used to produce a wide variety of end use products. Thus, the polymer products may be employed to produce blow-molded products or injection-molded products, such as bottles for milk, food, and detergents and the like, housewares, such as toys and pails and various extruded products. Such extruded products include film products for producing grocery and merchandise bags, packaging for food products, sheets for truck bed liners and luggage, shipping containers and bulk storage tanks. Large blow molded parts which can be produced include articles such as shipping containers and bulk storage tanks, and pipes, including high pressure pipes for use in various industrial applications such as for sewer pipes and pipes for gas, oil, and water transport applications. The polyethylene products are characterized by a high electrical resistivity and thus may be used in insulating applications such as insulating coatings on electrical wiring products. Molded ethylene homopolymer or copolymer products produced in accordance with the present invention can also be used to provide various automotive components by injection moldings, including, without limitation, automobile or truck dashboards and interior trim moldings. Where the polymer products produced in accordance with the present invention are used to make end use products by injection molding, various injection molded components may be made by injecting the polymer product into molds conforming to the shape of the article to be manufactured. As indicated, various articles may also be produced by blow molding to produce containers, bottles and the like, or by extrusion to form thin film products. In addition to films and the like, the ethylene homopolymer or copolymer product produced by the process of the present invention may be used to produce various fibers, meshes and textile materials as well as articles of apparel, such as gowns, masks, gloves and the like.

Having described specific embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that modifications thereof may be suggested to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover all such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A process for the preparation of a pyridinyl-linked bis-amino ligand comprising: (a) reacting 2,6-dibromophenyl amine with an arylboronic acid component which is substituted or unsubstituted in the presence of a palladium and CO₃ ²⁻ catalyst, to produce a 2,6-diarylphenyl amine which is substituted or unsubstituted; (b) reacting said 2,6-diarylphenyl amine with a 2,6-dialkanoic pyridine characterized by the formula:

 wherein R′ and R″ are each independently a C₁–C₂₀ hydrocarbyl group in the presence of an acid catalyst;  to produce a mono-imine ligand characterized by the formula:

 wherein TRP is a terphenyl group which is substituted or unsubstituted  and; (c) reacting said mono-imine ligand with an aniline which is substituted or unsubstituted in the presence of an acid catalyst, to produce a bis-amine ligand characterized by the structure:

 wherein:  TRP is a substituted or unsubstituted terphenyl group; and  AR is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein R′ is a C₁–C₄ alkyl group or an aryl group which is substituted or unsubstituted and R″ is a C₁–C₄ alkyl group or an aryl group which is substituted or unsubstituted.
 3. The process of claim 1 wherein said aniline is a mono-substituted, di-substituted or tri-substituted amino benzene.
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein said aniline is a mono-substituted para C₁–C₄ alkyl amino benzene.
 5. The process of claim 1 wherein said aniline is a 2,6-dialkylaniline substituted at the 2,6 positions with a C₁–C₄ alkyl group, or a 2,4,6-trialkylaniline substituted with a C₁–C₄ alkyl group at the 4 position and substituted at the 2,6 positions with a C₁–C₄ group, which are the same as or different from said 4 alkyl group.
 6. The process of claim 1 wherein said terphenyl group is a substituted terphenyl group.
 7. The process of claim 1 wherein each of the substituents phenyl groups of the terphenyl group is substituted at the para position with a C₁–C₄ alkyl group.
 8. The process of claim 1 wherein each of the substituents phenyl groups of said terphenyl group is di-substituted at the ortho positions of said substituent phenyl group. 